I have been constantly expanding my comfort zone in going out in public dressed. My first forays were back to the same store where I bought the outfit I had on at the time. To thank the sales staff, show off the newest outfit, receive more affirmation and of course try on more clothes. Predictably, my clothes collection grew FAST
Over the last year or so, I started running small errands while dressed. To the convenience store, the gas station, maybe a casino. (Casinos, and not just the ones in Vegas, are just as accepting as dress shops.) In recent weeks, I tested the waters in that Testosterone Temple, the gym changing room. This morning, for example, I wore my new green sweater dress, black cardigan and black wedge pumps. I checked in at the front desk where the female attendants smiled but said nothing. Walked into the changeroom (the men's), past a couple of younger men who barely noticed me, changed and went out to do my workout. Same thing on the way out. I took off my sweaty clothes, showered, dried off, then put my dress back on. I exited with no one even paying attention to me. A man about my age in the lobby looked me up and down. We made eye contact, smiled at each other, then he returned to his texting while I entered the elevator. One older woman in the elevator took a long silent look at me, smiled and then made small talk about something unrelated.
So, maybe in the past I talked a bigger game than I had a right to, because it was mainly trips for clothes shopping. But now I'm becoming more truly adventurous an loving every minute of it.
Originally Posted by suzanne
Congratulations.
